Revision of Geographical Boundaries Guidelines

Topic

Revision of Geographical Boundaries Guidelines

Case number

• 2016-031 (F&R Date: 2016–05–09)

Description

On 31 July 2000, the Assistant Deputy Minister (Human Resources-Military) issued guidelines to assist Commanders in reviewing and defining their Geographical Boundaries for the purpose of qualifying for Post Living Differential benefits.

The Committee noted that these guidelines were out of date and no longer fully aligned with more recent Chief of the Defence Staff (CDS) grievance decisions addressing the question of what constitutes a reasonable daily commute.  The Committee observed that the Canadian Armed Forces has, in general, more recently been endorsing a 100 kilometer distance or a one-hour commuting time as being a reasonable daily commute whereas the 2000 guidelines suggested that 45 minutes represented normal commuting times.

The Committee therefore found that the guidelines should be amended to indicate that “a reasonable daily commute” is generally considered to be 100 km or 1 hour of commuting time, linked to the CAF’s ability to recall the CAF member to base.

Recommendation

The Committee recommended that the CDS direct a review of the 31 July 2000 ADM (HR-Mil) guidelines issued to assist Commanders in reviewing and defining their Geographical Boundaries.

The Committee also recommended that the guidelines be amended to indicate that “a reasonable daily commute” is generally considered to be 100 km or 1 hour of commuting time, linked to the CAF’s ability to recall the CAF member to base, and that this information be communicated in a timely manner to all CAF personnel responsible for defining Geographical Boundaries.

Final Authority Decision

Pending